Japanese Pokémon cards have always had a special status. Not only do the sets often come out earlier than in the West, the Japanese print quality is better too, which makes cards look sharper and stay pristine for longer. Within the EX era the Gold Star cards in particular became legendary: extremely rare cards that often showed the Shiny variants of iconic Pokémon. Today these Japanese EX cards are among the most expensive and most coveted collectibles on the market.

Here are the 5 most expensive Japanese EX cards on GetCollectr, including their raw and PSA 10 values.

1. Rayquaza Gold Star (JP) 067/082 (EX Deoxys Japanese)

Raw value: €2,800
PSA 10 value: €10,716
Rayquaza Gold Star is perhaps the most famous card from the entire Gold Star range. The Japanese version from EX Deoxys is extremely popular thanks to its iconic black Shiny design. In PSA 10 the value passes €10,000 – an absolute top card in any collection.

2. Charizard EX 276/XY-P (XY Promos JP)

Raw value: €1,953
PSA 10 value: €3,854
Charizard always stays the king of the TCG, and this Japanese EX promo from the XY period is a brilliant example. The spectacular artwork and its exclusivity as a promo make this card very sought after. PSA 10 copies come in at almost €4,000.

3. Mudkip Gold Star (JP) 033/084 (Rocket Gang Strikes Back)

Raw value: €1,440
PSA 10 value: €4,298
Mudkip may be small and cute, but its Gold Star card is anything but cheap. Released in Rocket Gang Strikes Back, this is one of the starter Gold Stars that collectors dig deep for. PSA 10 copies fetch prices above €4,000.

4. Latios Gold Star (JP) 066/082 (EX Deoxys Japanese)

Raw value: €1,284
PSA 10 value: €12,430
Latios Gold Star is one of the most expensive cards from EX Deoxys. The Shiny design and Latios's iconic status make this card wildly popular. In PSA 10 the value reaches more than €12,000, which makes it one of the top Gold Stars of all time.

5. Flareon Gold Star (JP) 011/108 (EX Power Keepers Japanese)

Raw value: €1,017
PSA 10 value: €3,705
Eeveelutions are always in demand, and Flareon Gold Star sits high on collectors' wish lists. The Japanese version from EX Power Keepers is highly coveted for its combination of nostalgia, rarity and the Shiny design.

Why these Japanese EX cards are top investments

Japanese EX cards, and the Gold Stars in particular, combine rarity with an iconic look. Because Japanese print runs are often smaller than the English ones, the scarcity is greater still. PSA 10 copies therefore fetch prices from thousands to even tens of thousands of euros. For investors after the absolute top of the Pokémon market, Japanese Gold Star cards like Rayquaza and Latios are the ultimate grail pieces.